HS2 considers cutting train numbers to stay within £56bn budget

A main justification for building HS2 was to increase trains between London and northern citiesPA

HS2 may be forced to cut the number of trains it runs an hour in an effort to stop costs spiralling.

The government-controlled company building the high-speed line is examining whether to reduce the maximum by almost a fifth to 14 trains an hour in each direction. It would lower the capacity of the line by the equivalent of 8,800 passengers an hour during peak times.

If implemented the decision is likely to renew questions over the value of the project, with one of the main justifications for building the line being to increase trains between London and northern cities. Only last week Theresa May insisted that HS2 was needed to ensure “that we have the capacity that is needed on this particular route”.

HS2…

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